1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee AWD full time 4wd but the front axle is not spinning. I just bought the car. The driveshaft is spinning and the cv's are spinning because the rear wheels are forcing them to spin but in the snow I feel like I'm on a sled and when it gets stuck you can see that only the 2 rear wheels are spinning. I'm thinking the seller might have ripped out the front differential gears and not told me about it. Is there any other possibilities? I don't hear any grinding of gears or anything like that. I don't know what else would cause this issue.

Did you change your transfer case fluid every 50K miles? Very important requirement in the Owner's Manual. And how are the TC and differential fluid levels today? If all this its ok, them sound like the AWD vehicles like yours will need a dealer reprogram if the TCCM came off a 4WD vehicle.

Keep in mind that the part-time 4WD systems like I have (with 4LO as an option in the transfer case) have a front axle disconnect actuator plus the transfer case. But full-time AWD systems like you have use the transfer case only to send or not send torque to the front axle. You don't have a front axle actuator.

If the technician was using the tech tool to talk to the transfer case (not the front axle), then the TC (Transfer Case) could have an internal problem, or the Transfer Case encoder motor could have a problem, or the Control Module. You should definitely try spinning the front driveshaft by hand and see if the front wheels move.

Keep us updated.

First thing to test is to see if the front driveshaft is getting engaged from the transfer case. With the vehicle in 4x4, and engine shut off, and in park, crawl under and try to turn the front driveshaft by hand. The driveshaft looks like a pipe that runs from the transfer case, located just behind the engine/transmission, to the front differential. If it rotates by hand, there is a problem with the transfer case. Some Jeeps have a vacuum actuator on the front diff that slides a collar inside the axle tube to engage it. I will watch for you findings, and you can leave me another message, and I will be happy to chat back with you on your findings.

ummm if you have the 1999 jeep grand cherokee (limited) Quadratic (like i have) that means the jeep is 4WD all time!!! it could be a problem with your tires be bald!!! I put snow tires on my Quadratic 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee and it works fine on snow and ice and the reason is because its never out of 4WD because its all time 4WD

You know for a fact no power is being sent to the front axle? This transfer case only sends power to the front axle when the rear axle is slipping. Are there any unusual noises in the front axle?

If it is the transfer case, replacing it is not too big of a deal. If you are the least bit confident of your abilities, then you can do it yourself. I believe you have the NP242 transfer case, but I could be wrong. There will be a tag on the back side of the case, facing the rear axle, to the left of the drive shaft. On that tag, it will tell you which case you have. You can either have yours rebuilt, or buy a replacement either new or used.

To remove the t-case, first drain the fluid. Next remove the front driveshaft by removing the four bolts holding the u-joint in place. Then remove the rear drive shaft by doing the same as the front driveshaft, only this time it's at the rear differential. Once the drive shaft is free, support the full weight of the driveshaft, not that heavy, and pull it out of the t-case and set aside. Disconnect the shifter linkage and wiring harness. Next, remove the bolts that connect the t-case to the t-case cross member. Lift slightly and support the tranny/t-case assembly and remove the cross member. The t-case isn't very heavy, but you don't want it falling on your head, so remember to support it as you remove the bolts that connect it to the rear of the tranny. Once you bring it out from under the Jeep, and it's rebuilt or you have another unit to replace it, installation is the reverse of removal. Just remember to refill the t-case with the proper fluid.

remove wheel and tire caliper and rotor axle nut hub bearing pull axle out of spindle slide new axle in and reverse procedure

I'd like to take the time to walk you through it , but sounds like you might prefer pictures as well so go to (autozone.com) and sign up for free, & get parts prices, as well as access to repair manuals with pictures & step by step instructions.

You also could have received a bad axle. Sometimes the rebuilds don't hold good tolerance and can make the same noise you are trying to get rid of. Is it full-time 4wd? Maybe the driveshaft ujoint also.

yes,they should pull out with a little effort,they have an internal lock ring on the shaft,if they don't pull out you may have to use a pry bar between the inner joint and the case to pry it out.

Is it full time or part time 4 wheel drive? You should check the front driveshaft u-joints.

most likely due to front cv axles or front driveshaft being worn